Community Corner

Big-Box Opponents Set for 'Perfect Storm' Showdown

CAN-DO organizers at the forefront of the Bloomingdale big-box development backlash say their concerns are striking a chord countywide.

Residents opposed to the proposed big-box retail and apartment complex development on Bloomingdale Avenue, near the library and high school, are prepared to tackle a "perfect storm" of concerns should the latest and upcoming moves by Hillsborough County commissioners fall short of their demands, according to activist Dan Grant.

At issue is the development in question, Grant said, but also the strategies developers use behind the scenes to work with county staff and officials and the process through which commissioners enact zoning changes and amendments to the Hillsborough County Land Development Code.

Grant is a member of the steering committee for the Coordinated Active Neighborhoods Development Organization (CAN-DO), which was formed to fight Redstone Properties' proposal to build a 158,800-square-foot big-box retail store, five commercial outparcels and 260 apartments on a 43.5-acre parcel off Bloomingdale Avenue.

"This case has been almost the perfect storm," Grant said, in reference to the community's opposition to this particular development. "But it's also the process the county commissioners used and it's the steps Redstone Properties took to come out to the community with this project."

In that regard, he added, it has become a countywide concern for all residents and for each of the members sitting on the Hillsborough County Board of County Comissioners, regardless of district representation.

"When you begin to put all the pieces together it really strikes a chord," Grant said. "We feel it's a manipulation of the system by the developer that the county commissioners enabled to happen."

At a June 10 meeting with Commissioner Al Higginbotham, CAN-DO organizers spoke before a packed house of concerned residents, who filled the multipurpose room at the Brandon Community Center to capacity.

They asked Higginbotham 16 questions, which they later sent to each of the county commissioners in writing, asking for a written response in return.

On Friday, June 21, Higginbotham's aide, Andy Taylor, sent a response to CAN-DO's June 12 letter, via email. The response was signed by Adam Gormly, a county attorney. Dee Bristol, a member of CAN-DO's research committee, said in an interview Sunday, June 23, that the group received the letter in the mail the day before.

"I don't think it really answered our questions," she said. "I think they conveniently talked around the questions, but CAN-DO is reviewing it and will come forth with a formal response."

Bristol said she was one of three residents in attendance at the commissioners'  June 19 meeting, to speak against the proposal during public comments. She said Higginbotham's aide, not Taylor, asked them to meet the commissioner in his office.

"We had requested an update on his June 11 8 a.m meeting with David Singer, the attorney for Redstone Properties, which [Higginbotham] told us June 10, at the community meeting, he was scheduled to have," Bristol said. "Commissioner Higginbotham indicated that he had asked the developer to meet with the public out here in Bloomingdale."

Should that meeting take place, Grant said, the question is simple: "Are you really going to put a super store on this property, with failed roads, within eyesight and short distance to a high school, elementary school, little league fields, a library, the YMCA and the neighborhood?"

With or without a meeting with developer, CAN-DO is laser-focused on the issue, including the commissioners' June 11 vote to look into a rarely used "Doctrine of Zoning in Progress" to halt such projects for 180 days.

Bristol said it is unclear to the group how this would affect the Bloomingdale Avenue project moving forward.

"Perhaps this will slow the process down, we'll see if it is a good thing or not," Grand said. "It could give the developer time to strengthen their position, but it also gives us, CAN-DO, more time to become bigger and stronger, and we will. I have no doubt we will."

CAN-DO organizers have said that they are not opposed to any development on the land, but certainly they are to the development as it is now proposed. The group has a research committee and is working with an attorney to consider legal action if necessary.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here